Ex-Prince Andrew Made Money Subletting Cottages on Royal Estate: Audit
King Charles' disgraced younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was earning income by subletting cottages on his estate in Windsor, England, according to a report from the U.K.'s National Audit Office published on Friday. The independent report into the Royal Family's property arrangements was sparked by controversy over Mountbatten-Windsor's living arrangements after he was stripped of his royal titles last year over his links to convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Prince Andrew had lived at the Royal Lodge in Windsor for more than 20 years and sublet three cottages on the estate while paying a symbolic "peppercorn rent," the audit office report revealed. The disgraced prince was officially evicted from the lodge, a sprawling 30-room mansion, in February 2026. The report's auditors said they did not know how much money Mountbatten-Windsor pocketed from subletting the cottages, adding that the cottages have been vacant since April.
Details of His Lease
In 2003, Mountbatten-Windsor was charged a one-million-pound ($1.86 million) rent for a 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge and its eight cottages, according to the report. The "premium" he paid was known as a "peppercorn rent," with the lease permitting him to sublet three of the cottages. The former prince had also agreed to spend 7.5 million pounds ($13.9 million) to renovate the lodge, which the report said reduced his upfront payment.
Since Mountbatten-Windsor was evicted from the Royal Lodge before his lease was up, the report said he "could be entitled to compensation payment" of just over 300,000 pounds ($559,000), "depending on dilapidation costs at handover which, at the time of publication, had not yet been assessed." As the property currently needs repairs, reports say the former prince is expected to walk away with nothing.
King Paid Eugenie and Beatrice's Rents
The report also revealed that Mountbatten-Windsor's two daughters, who aren't working royals, had their rents paid by the "privy purse," which is the King's personal funds. Princess Eugenie lives in Ivy Cottage in Kensington Palace, while Princess Beatrice lives in an apartment in St James's Palace. The public spending watchdog report said Prince William and Princess Kate pay more than 300,000 pounds ($559,000) a year in rent for their home, Forest Lodge, in Berkshire, near Windsor.
Buckingham Palace said the report was "in line with the Royal Household's commitment to transparency."
